Postcrossing…I’m back!

June 28, 2014June 29, 20142 Comments

I hadn’t sent postcards via Postcrossing in a looooonnnnng time, so I sent out a bunch a few weeks ago simply because I was in the mood to write postcards. I dropped into the “Goin’ Postal” store minutes away from my home and mailed an eclectic set of postcards based on receivers’ varied interests in tourist postcards, bookish postcards, coffee and indigenous peoples of the Americas…some in envelopes, some naked (written on and stamped). Here’s what I sent–

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I checked my P.O. Box yesterday and the postcards have started rolling in. They are just as varied as the ones I sent out…

Czestochowa. Aleja N.M.P.

This first card came from Misia in Poland. This is the Avenue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Czestochowa. I know this–thanks to Google’s translation tool. 😉

Ainika from Estonia sent a cute Snoopy card:

Translation: “You don’t need many friends, but you need good friends!”

A little out of season, but I think Ainika was focusing on the message. Besides, Peanuts cuteness is always in season as far as I’m concerned!

And more cuteness from Cesar in Spain, Palencia to be exact. He describes his home as “a small city full of art and crossed by the road to Santiago.”

Translation: Fievel Goes West

I remember watching An American Tail and Fievel Goes West with my one of my nephews–who is now 24, grown and married–and I’ve been partial to Fievel since some college buddies told me I look like him (and therefore, started calling me “Mousey”).

I love this illustration:

Rudi Hurlzmeier, "Noch'n Gedicht. Illustration from the Lord Brummel

Rudi Hurlzmeier, “Noch’n Gedicht.” Illustration from Lord Brummel

A bear reading outdoors under a tree? How many of my favorites can you cram into one image?

Google translate didn’t help much with this one. I think “Noch’n Gedicht” means “another poem” or something along those lines. Please correct me, if I’m wrong. Oh, don’t be fooled. This card did not come from Germany. It was sent by USA Postcrosser Jane in Kansas City.

Another book-themed postcard came from Don who sends greetings from New Jersey (USA):

Glen Baxter, from the Bug House Archives

And last, another from the USA–Brad sent this wonderful snail mail postcard from Pennsylvania Amish Country.

Pennsylvania Amish Country, Photo by Anthony L. Iezzi

Brad is retired and gets to study photography and art all day! He also has a website that reflects his passion for postcards. Check it out here: The Postcard Nut.

What can make great postcards even better? Interesting postage and postmarks, of course! (Click an image for a closer look).

Poland

Espana

U.S. Vintage Postage

Estonia

The Lamb, the Tyger, and the Lion

June 22, 2014June 22, 20142 Comments

I was organizing files last week and ran across an interesting drawing done by a student in a Survey of English Literature course. The assignment was to artistically interpret two of William Blake’s poems (companion pieces from Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience). Students could use any medium, and they were assured of full credit regardless of skill level. I was more interested in their effort and their enjoyment. I imagine I was a little confused when I first saw the sketch below:

“The Tyger” by Charmaine W., EN 212 Spring 2013

This piece is based on “The Lamb” from Songs of Innocence and “The Tyger” from Songs of Experience–poems that speak of two different aspects of the God of Creation and that lead readers to the realization that the God who crafted the innocent lamb is also the God who put the fire in the tiger’s eye, and that this same God embodies those meek and fierce attributes Himself.

But…um…that’s a lion, not a “tiger.”

Charmaine was cute, though. She added a note to the back of the drawing labeled “artistic license.” Her explanation is that this still represents a visual interpretation of the “contrary” poems since Jesus is both lion and lamb–animals obviously perceived as having very different characteristics. And indeed, she is correct. Jesus is described as the Lion of Judah and the [Sacrificial] Lamb.

I ran into Charmaine a couple of days ago and let her know that I rediscovered her drawing. We both laughed because it was after she drew the lion that she realized it should have been a tiger. While she got the drawing “wrong,” she was accurate in visualizing what Blake would have questioned as contrary conceptualizations of God. He is not one or the other, but both at the same time, and thus (perhaps) something other.

The assignment was inspired by Blake’s own illustrated works. I wanted students to do more than read the poems and look at the pretty images. I wanted them to deeply connect with Blake’s works. Sometimes that connection comes not through written critique or analysis but through creative work. They have to understand the work(s) enough to render an honest visual interpretation.

Here are Blake’s own images of the two poems:

“The Lamb” by William Blake, from Songs of Innocence

“The Tyger” (1794) by Willliam Blake from Songs of Experience

Enjoy and have a happy week!

Where IS Waldo?

June 19, 2014June 19, 20145 Comments

Thanks to his subscriptions to High Five and Highlights magazines since he was a wee tot, my little one loves “hidden pictures” activities, so it’s always an extra treat when we receive Where’s Waldo? postcards. Happy mail and a fun activity all in one!

Where’s Waldo is the series of children’s books by British illustrator Martin Handford. Because “before child” I really wasn’t into “Waldo,” I learned from the postcards that Waldo is Wally outside of the United States and Canada. I can’t figure out, though, why marketers (I assume) thought the moniker “Waldo” would be more acceptable to U.S. and Canadian readers than “Wally.” They’re about the same to me!

I received these postcards through various swaps–Postcrossing, “Postcards from a Book,” “5 Partners,” and most recently a “Children’s Book Illustration” swap. So I’m sharing them with you–not just so you can envy my mail but so you can have a little fun to break the monotony or tedium of a long day. If you happen to have kids nearby, let them join the fun! 🙂

"The Deep Sea Divers" scene from Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey, Martin Handford

“On Tour With the Vikings,” scene from Where’s Wally Now? by Martin Handford. Postcard from Natasa (Australia).